Ms. Gail Lorraine Williams was called to her heavenly home July 13. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Annie) Williams, she was born in 1954 in Social Circle. Ms. Williams was a free-spirited child who joined Graves Chapel AME Church at an early age. She graduated from R.L. Cousins High School and attended Kentucky State University, Frankfurt, Ky. where she majored in business management. She was a dedicated member of the concert and marching band where she played clarinet. Returning to Georgia, she held various business management positions at Spelman College, The Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the Army Environmental Policy Institute and the Forestry Commission. Her most recent employment was a substitute teacher for the Newton County Board of Education. She was a strong black women who charted her own path. Ms. Williams served as primary caregiver for her parents until her health declined.

She leaves a legacy of love to parents Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Annie Maude Williams; sisters Geina Williams, Beverly Williams; sister and brother-in-law Leila and Sylvester Elkins; brothers Terry Williams, Marvin Williams; brother and sister-in-law Ervin and Cynthia Williams; nieces Sylvia Elkins, Precious Elkins; nephews Major Williams, Marcus Williams; special cousins Corliss Lynn Dandridge; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19, in the chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home with Minister Lillian Gibbs officiating. Interment will be in Oxford Historical Cemetery. Repast will be held at Masonic Lodge No. 20 immediately after the service.